On December 30th, local authorities confirmed a horrific traffic accident in Sidama, southern Ethiopia, claiming the lives of 71 people. This heartbreaking incident occurred when a truck carrying wedding guests plunged into a river.
The tragic accident occurred around 5:30 PM on December 29th (local time), approximately 300km south of Addis Ababa. The old truck, transporting people to a wedding, lost control and crashed into the river, resulting in particularly severe consequences.
As of now, the death toll has reached 71, including 68 men and 3 women. Most of the victims were guests on the ill-fated truck.
Overloaded truck carrying wedding guests after plunging into the river.
Mr. Wossenyeleh Simon, a regional media officer, said: “This truck accident carrying wedding guests is particularly horrific because the river has many large rocks. Most passengers, including the truck driver, died due to the severe impact.”
According to initial information, the truck was carrying a total of 76 people, including wedding guests and workers. Approaching a narrow curve near a bridge, the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to plunge into the river. The initial cause was determined to be the truck driver losing control while turning.
Another local official added that the truck was carrying more people than allowed. On weekends, fewer passenger vehicles operate, which may have caused many people to crowd onto the truck to travel. Overloading the truck also increased the risk of an accident.
Rescue team attempting to pull the wrecked truck out of the river.
Images from the scene show a crowd gathered around the wrecked truck, with part of the vehicle submerged in water. Rescue workers used ropes to try to pull the truck ashore. The bodies of the victims were removed from the vehicle and placed on the ground, covered with blue tarpaulins.
Immediately after the accident, rescue teams and medical personnel quickly arrived at the scene to conduct rescue operations and search for survivors.
Among the fortunate survivors, five people were injured, including two seriously injured who are being treated at a local hospital. Three others have been discharged from the hospital but are still suffering from mental stress and trauma after this horrific truck accident.
Traffic accidents are a frequent problem in Ethiopia, a country with a poorly maintained road system. Especially in rural areas, people often hire trucks as a means of transportation to weddings due to the low cost and the ability to carry many people. However, using trucks to transport people poses many accident risks, especially when the vehicle is overloaded and traveling on bad roads.
“This riverbank area often has accidents because the road is very bad. The road lacks speed bumps and warning signs,” said Mr. Fasil Atara, a local resident, sharing about the traffic situation at the scene of the accident.
Earlier this year, a similar accident occurred when a bus plunged into a river in Wolaita, southern Ethiopia, killing at least 28 people and seriously injuring 19 others. These consecutive accidents highlight the alarming situation regarding traffic safety in Ethiopia, especially for passenger vehicles such as trucks and buses.
The truck accident carrying wedding guests once again raises the alarm about traffic safety issues in Ethiopia, especially in rural areas where people still face difficulties in accessing safe means of transportation and the transportation infrastructure system is still limited.
